As 2014 fast approaches, a time to set new goals with fresh ideas, I have decided to place my Blog on my website as well as here. Truthfully, I am not a very dedicated blogger...a goal to reach for! With that in mind, I also have many new bead ideas, jewelry designs featuring the new Shibori ribbon and Soutache. I have tutorials that I need to get out and practice, like my new one from the uber talented Lydia Muell. I have had a very successful and happy year and hope you have too! Without my customers I would be lost...or buried in beads! Look for exciting new changes to my website too...like a shopping cart! In March, I will be participating in a collaboration between a wonderful metalsmith, named Jennifer Lawrence Bennett from Seattle. We are 2 of over 80 artists ( 40 glass bead artists and 40 metalsmiths) in this art project called 3 X 2 Redux, which will culminate in a gallery tour starting in Seattle in April at Facere Gallery, then on to Fisherton Mills in Salsbury, England and last to the Contemporary Crafts Museum in Portland, Oregon. Needless to say, I am very excited and honored to be a part of this wonderful project. There will be 3 pieces designed and they will be for sale. I will keep you updated on this venture! In the meantime, Happy Holidays and a very happy and prosperous new year! Sheila

Ramblings

Every time I check in on my blog to share something, I can't believe how long it's been since the last time I blogged! Where does the time go? It's been a busy summer, what with canning and freezing food out of the garden, bead shows, keeping up with Stone Designs on Etsy, and the day to day routine. Even though I am "retired" I am busy as ever. But Fall is definitely upon us! We went for a drive yesterday and the Fall colors are beautiful right now. Very inspiring for a bead maker! My bead fans will be happy to learn, I bought a new camera! It's a Canon Rebel DSLR. I am just learning how to use it but the pictures are so much more clear. Until next time....

Jewelry Displays

The best things in life are free....or cheap! For my upcoming show in Fresno, The Heart of California Bead and Adornment Expo, I found some vintage silver trays to display beads on. Some of these I already had since I am a junk store junkie! I think they will look so cute with my lampwork beads in them and add a continuity to the table.

I am also so excited about my new earring cards! ( I know...it's the little things!)I was surprised to find how little selection there is for earring cards. Some of the best choices are on Etsy. I found these at Julry Partz. She was very easy to work with and a very reasonable $4.00 for a digital download that I can print as many as I want. I would recommend a heavy cardstock for these. I use plastic earring card adapters from Rio Grande, cut them in half, because I'm frugal...and punch holes for the earrings. (Always use earring nuts to keep them on the cards. I couldn't believe a recent thread on Facebook about whether to use them or not!)

Interview

Being interviewed is always hard for me. When I was little, I was always the shy one, making my brother and sisters guess what it was I wanted instead of me just asking. They learned to read my sign language! But being married to my husband has helped me overcome that...he is far from shy! Today's feature in Holly Dare's blog Glass Beads Daily is about moi! After reading it I realized I really need a new picture of myself...one that doesn't show the gray!! I have also been enjoying reading a new blog (for me) from Kat O'Sullivan AKA Katwise. What an ambitious young woman! So, after reading her wonderful writings, I am determined to blog more often. We'll see what comes out of these pages in the next few weeks!

I've been steadily making new beads for the upcoming show, The Heart of California Bead and Adornment Expo in Fresno, California on September 7 & 8 at the Ramada Inn. I'm close to being ready, but there's always "just one more bead"!And that's in between canning pickles, green beans, freezing peas, broccoli and the tomatoes are coming on fast! Until next time...here's some new eye candy!

Necklace Sale!

This beautiful necklace, as well as 26 more are on sale! Starting Friday, June 07 through June 30 all necklaces in my Etsy shop are 20% off! No coupon needed. Prices shown at the start of the sale are the sale price. A perfect time to accessorize your summer wardrobe! https://www.etsy.com/shop/StoneDesignsbySheila?section_id=13735760

Glass Beads Daily

There's a new and exciting new blog from fellow lampwork artist Holly Dare. It's called Glass Beads Daily Several lampwork artists are already involved, showing different beads everyday with links to their shop. Holly has come up with some themes too, like Blue Monday where all the beads are blue! Be sure to check it out and if you're a lampwork artist, get involved! It's a great way to bring traffic to your shop.

Bead Star Competition

Jewelry Stringing magazine is hosting their annual Bead Star competition. The deadline for entries is Friday, May 24. I would love to see my lampwork beads in a winning entry! Speaking from past experience, take the best photos you can, even if you have to have someone else photograph your pieces. You can have up to 5 photos for each entry this year. They have totally changed the rules, for the better! There is over $4000.00 in cash prizes this year! There is also an Emerging Artist category, so if you have never had your work published before, now is the time to strut your stuff!! There is a fee to enter this year too, but I think it makes people take it more seriously. The judging is handled by the staff of Jewelry Stringing and Beadwork magazines, not by popular vote....much better. I'm off to photograph my two entries!

Pinterest

Pinterest can be very addicting! Although I'm not one of those addicts, I find some very beautiful inspiration there for my beads. I've created a Pinterest board featuring jewelry made by my customers using my beads in the designs. If you would like to be invited to Pin on this board, just leave a comment in the section below with your email. If you don't feel comfortable leaving your email on a public site, just contact me through my Etsy shop and I'll add you!

A new blog site has opened up in the last couple weeks that features daily lampwork bead posts by lampwork glass bead artists. It's called Glass Beads Daily Be sure to check in often as artists post different beads everyday. Here's a little eye candy of mine!

Mismatched Beads

I often have leftover beads after making a set, so I was inspired to make this bracelet and earrings set with a few "leftovers".I just love this denim color. It pairs well with silver or copper and is very popular right now. Balancing the beads aesthetically and physically is always a challenge when you are working with odd shape beads. Just remember your design basics, line, balance, rhythm, movement, pattern and color. Sorry for the iphone photo!

Bead Soup Blog Party 7

Today is the day...the first reveal in Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Party! This annual event is divided into 3 reveals. To learn more click on this link: Bead Soup Blog Party My soup this year is from talented PMC artist and jewelry maker Rain Hannnah Here's a link to her blog so you can see what she made with the soup I sent her and be sure to check out her Etsy shop! http://honeyandollie.com/ My soup is very earthy, which I love...and had some whimsical items too, so I decided to separate them and make a necklace and bracelet, 2 totally different styles. For the necklace I made some olive green lampwork lentils to go with the Patricia Healey copper components, lampwork beads by Julie Miller and the Mykonos focal. I had so much fun putting it all together! For the bracelet, I wanted to use the polymer flowers by Elaine Robitaille of Too Aquarius along with the cute enameled butterfly, so I chose some floral lampwork beads out of my orphan box and some peach pixie dust lampwork beads as well as a few green crystals, added a cute flower toggle and voila! A super Springy bracelet! (Perfect for upcoming Mother's Day too) Both of these pieces are available in my Etsy shop. More jewelry blog hopping here: http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/2013/03/7th-bead-soup-blog-party-first-reveal.html

I'm having the time of my life at a three day workshop with Andrea Guarino Slemmons in Port Townsend, Washington. Today we made 3 different bead styles. Here's her demonstrating. Tomorrow we make 2 or 3 more styles and learn how to cap and core the big hole beads. Tomorrow is also the Bead Soup Blog Party that Lori Anderson hosts every year, so I will be posting in the morning but unable to comment on other blogs until Monday...(except my Bead Soup partner of course!)

Fun with Tools

I'll admit... I'm a bit of a tool junkie! I have recently purchased a new bead roller from CG Beads Donna makes great tools and I love my stubby bicone shaper. This denim blue color has been so popular lately, I made this set with silvered ivory and fine silver wire. I am learning the trick to these tools is not too much glass to start with. Otherwise the bead gets too wide and you end up loosing your "dimple"

Inspiration

Someone recently asked how I can put together such asymetrical sets (or maybe they were referring to jewelry!)I've always loved monochromatic color schemes. When I had my flower shop, customers would come in just for one of my bouquets made in all pinks, lavenders or peaches. So when I'm looking to create a set of not so matchy-matchy beads, I look for a color palette that will make a pleasing to the eye set of beads for jewelry making. Not all the glass is the same and sometimes even diggerent shapes go into the set. I look for color inspiration in magazines, Google images, clothing catalogues and of course...Design Seeds.

New Pinterest Board

I have created a new Pinterest board called "Jewelry Other People Have Made with My Beads" Here's a link: http://pinterest.com/stonedesigns/jewelry-people-have-made-with-my-beads/ If you have made jewelry with my lampwork beads and would like to be featured in this board, just contact me through my Etsyand I will add you! Meanwhile, here's a new beadwork necklace from me.

Cabochons

I was fooling around with some new necklace pieces on my bead table and came up with this great use for my lampwork cabochons using a filigree component from Filigree and Me Gently bending the edges of the metal around the cab, secures it in place and adds a beauitful backing to the piece. I just slipped a jump ring through the back and it's ready to use in my new necklace.

Bead Soup Blog Party

It's time for Lori Anderson's annual Bead Soup Blog Party 7! I have a great and talented partner, Rain Hannah of Honey and Ollie. Here's a link to great Etsy shop. http://www.etsy.com/shop/honeyandollie?ref=search_shop_redirect I recieved my bead soup and it has so much inspiration! I'm thinking at least 2 designs from all that. Our reveal date is March 30, 2013. So with 500 participants this year, Lori divided it into 3 reveal dates. Lots of blogging going on!

New Series

My newest series of lampwork lentil focal beads is named after exotic hardwoods. While researching names for the beads I learned that American Hardwood is a sustainable and abundant resource as deemed by the U.S. congress. I love the look of hardwood floors. These beads are a loose interpretation. This is 'Cherrywood'

New Look

After reading alot of blog posts in the recent blog hop, I decided to change the look of my blog. What do you think? I still can't get the lettering on the right hand side to change color..but I guess it looks okay. I think it will make a better background for my beads and not so hard to look at as the black! I've been busy working on a trunk show for my niece and sister-in-law's bead store, but I'm done now so will be posting lots of new beads this week...especially now that the weather has warmed up a few degrees, I can work out in my studio without freezing!

New Components

Some new components have been coming out of my studio this month. I love making these and there are so many design possibilities. A hole at each end provides inifite design ideas. Attach a wire wrapped dangle to one end and hang from the other end in a necklace. Use as a bead frame, or an interesting focal in an asymetrical necklace.

Memories and Thanks Blog Hop

Beading guru Lori Anderson is hosting another blog hop...this one is a little different. To read about the story behind this hop and a list of the participants (130 in all!) visit her wonderful blog. Thank you Lori! http://www.prettythingsblog.com/ Grab a box of tissues and read about everyone's tribute to someone who has touched their lives. My bracelet is dedicated to my beautiful sister Marcia, who passed on in 2004 of ovarian cancer. I miss her terribly. She loved flowers and iris was one of her favorites. When I owned my flower shop in California, she used to come down from Washington to help me on Valentines Day. We worked hard but had so much fun, I couldn't have done it without her. That's her on the left. This picture was taken around 1982.

This bracelet was a new endeavor for me. It started with my lampwork cabochon which I did some beadwork around and backed it with gray ultrasuede. I wanted to do something different this time so I incorporated it with antique brass wire and more beads and crystals to form a beaded cuff bracelet. Like Marcia..it is earthy, multi-faceted and unique. Now I'm off to see everyone elses creations and read their stories.

New Beads

I've made a few more of my vase style beads in an antiquities style. I love this look! Inspired my Google images of ancient vases and jugs...Google images are a great place for inspiration.

Wow! What happened to the last month! I can't believe it's been a monthe since I wrote a post. Well. I'll try to be better in the new year, even if it's just a picture of new beads. I've cleaned up my studio, my beading area, which is a small corner of the living room and am ready for new adventures in beading. I cleaned out my Czech glass beads and have a bagful to donate to A Little Something, a group of refugee women in Denver who make jewelry. I learned about it from Rena Klingenberg's Jewelry Making Journal. http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/welcome-to-the-jewelry-making-journal-bead- If you would like to learn more about it, visit her page. Now is a good time to clean out all thise beads you bought years ago and haven't used!